Luhrmann - Talent and Training Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is the main argument of Luhrmann’s “Talent and Training”?
Religious experiences are not just innate talents but are cultivated through practice and training to engage with the presence of the divine.
What role does training play in religious experience?
Through practices like prayer, meditation, and ritual, people train their minds to perceive God or other supernatural presences as real and active in their lives.
how does Luhrmann describe religious talent ?
some people are more imaginative and more prone to experiences which makes them more likely to engage with religious things
what is the significance of “absorption”
a trait where people become deeply focused on imaginery things which makes divine encounters feel vivid and real
how do prayer and meditatoin contribute to religious experience
trains the mine to be in Gods presence everyday
what does luhrmann mean by kindling the presence of God
religious experiences are not automatic but are actively nurtured through rituals, storytelling and community reinforcement
how does social context influence religious experience
Religious communities shape believers’ expectations and interpretations of experiences, teaching them how to recognize and understand divine presence.
what is the role of mental imagery in religious encounters
imaginative visualization to construct mental pictures of God
How does Luhrmann connect psychological flexibility to religious experience?
different mental states, perspectives, or sensory experiences = more vivid and compelling
what broader conclusion does Luhrmann draw about belief
Religious experience is not purely about faith—it is actively cultivated and reinforced through practice, social influence, and psychological training.
